To determine if you can adapt the newer mirrors, you'll need to:
1. Examine the mounting points: Carefully inspect the mounting points on both your 2001 van's doors and the 2002+ mirrors. Take photos. Compare the hole patterns and the overall shape of the mounting brackets.
2. Assess the differences: Are the holes in the same locations? Are the screw sizes the same? Do the mirror brackets themselves have similar shapes and sizes to fit the door's mounting area? If there's a significant difference, it will be difficult to use the newer mirrors without modification.
3. Consider fabrication: If the hole patterns are slightly different, you might be able to adapt the brackets with some drilling or filling/redrilling. This would require some mechanical skills and the right tools. You might even need to fabricate new brackets entirely.
4. Check for wiring: The wiring harnesses for the mirrors (power, heated, turn signals, etc.) are probably also different. You'll likely need to adapt the wiring as well.
In short: It's unlikely to be a simple "bolt-on" job. A professional mechanic or auto body shop would be best to assess the feasibility and perform any necessary modifications. The cost of modification might outweigh the cost of purchasing mirrors specifically designed for your 2001 E350.
